David Brancaccio

Professor, welcome.

Thank you.

It's great to be with you.

Studying economics can pay off.

We know this.

But first, you've got to get a job when you get out of school.

How deep, Professor, how deep is your concern that artificial intelligence might be a cheaper alternative to hiring your econ majors?

Now, this is more than just an abstract concern about the future.

I think you were privy to information out of Hong Kong where employers were needing less fresh econ majors.

I mean if you have to change your approach to economics education to adapt to the presence of AI out in the real world, what are some ways to think about that?

And I think it even goes without saying that artificial intelligence can be a great tool.

So if you could come up with a crop of econ majors who are super pros at using AI to solve even more advanced problems, maybe they would stand a shot of finding work.

Wendy Carlin is a professor of economics at the University College London and has spent a lot of time with the Core Econ Project, which offers free online textbooks and resources.

Professor Carlin, thank you for this update.

It's a pleasure.

Thank you.

The big tax law from last summer ushers in a range of changes, including higher standard deductions this filing cycle, for instance, $31,500 for married couples with a joint return.

But for lower-income people, the same law is expected to force many to lose dollars in the form of food aid.

Marketplace's Carla Javier has an update.

There are changes in the program that, if fully implemented, will result probably in the biggest percentage-wise cut